Activated vapor treatment for neutralizing warfare agents

ABSTRACT

Hydrogen peroxide is vaporized ( 20 ) and mixed ( 30 ) with ammonia gas in a ratio between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. The peroxide and ammonia vapor mixture are conveyed to a treatment area ( 10 ) to neutralize V-type, H-type, or G-type chemical agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, prions, and the lip-, e. The ammonia provides the primary deactivating agent for G-type agents with the peroxide acting as an accelerator. The peroxide acts as the primary agent for deactivating V-type and H-type agents, pathogens, biotoxins, spores, and prions. The ammonia acts as an accelerator in at least some of these peroxide deactivation reactions.

GOVERNMENT INTEREST

The invention described herein may be manufactured, licensed, and usedby or for the U.S. government.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to the art of deactivating biologicaland chemical warfare agents. It finds particular application inconjunction with G-type, V-type, and H-type nerve agents, as well asbiological agents.

Chemical warfare agents include G-type, V-type, and H-type agents.G-type agents are phosphor containing and are clear, colorless, andtasteless liquids that are miscible in water and most organic solvents.Examples include ethyl-N,N dimethyl phosphoramino cyanidate (Tabun oragent GA), phosphonofluoridate esters, such as isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (Sarin or Agent GB), and methylphosphonofluoridicacid 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl ester (Soman or Agent GD). GB is odorless andis the most volatile nerve agent, evaporating at about the same rate aswater. GA has a slightly fruity odor, and GD has a slight camphor-likeodor. H-type agents include di(2-chloroethyl) sulfide (mustard gas orAgent HD) and dichloro (2-chlorovinyl) arsine (Lewisite).

V-type nerve agents contain a substituted amine group, and includemethyl phosphonothiolates having an internal amino group. Examplesinclude o-ethyl-S-(2-diisopropyl aminoethyl) methyl phosphono-thiolate(agent VX), O-isobutyl-S-(2-diethyl) ethyl methylphosphonothiolate, andO,S-diethyl methylphosphonothiolate. The phosphonothiolates form toxichydrolysis products comprising phosphonothioic acids. VX is a clear,amber-colored, odorless, oily liquid. It is miscible with water andsoluble in all solvents. It is the least volatile nerve agent.

Liquid oxidants have been developed which can deactivate biologicalwarfare agents. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,957 to Wagner, etal. In Wagner, a strong oxidant solution is sprayed as a liquid ontoequipment in the field which is or has potentially been contaminatedwith biological or chemical warfare agents. After treatment, thesolution is rinsed from the equipment with water which can be permittedto flow onto the ground as non-toxic waste. Although effective, theliquid Wagner solution has drawbacks. First, it is difficult for liquidsto penetrate crevices, fine cracks, ducts, and partially protected oroverlapping parts. Second, in enclosed spaces such as the interior ofairplanes, tanks, and buildings, cleanup and disposal of the liquidsolution can be problematic. Third, liquids can damage some equipment,such as electronic or electrical equipment.

Blistering agents, such as HD (sulfur mustard) undergo oxidation tonon-vesicating products (sulfide to sulfoxide). With the correct choiceof agents, the further oxidation to the sulfone does not occur. This ispreferable as both the sulfide and the sulfone have vesicant properties;whereas, the sulfoxide is non-vesicant.

Peroxide causes a perhydrolysis reaction neutralizing V-type nerveagents, such as VX nerve agent. In the perhydrolysis reaction, theperoxide moiety substitutes one of the groups around the phosphorousatom at the active site of the nerve agent molecule. Perhydrolysis ismore effective against V-type nerve agents than base catalyzedhydrolysis by water. In the presence of water, such as a water andammonia wash, the base catalyzed hydrolysis reaction can form EA2192which is also highly toxic. EA2192 is a phosphonothioic acid which hasthe same basic structure as VX except that the terminal ethoxy group isreplaced with OH.

On the other hand, G-agents, such as GD tend to be quite stable in thepresence of hydrogen peroxide. GD does not undergo an autocatalyticperhydrolysis neutralizing reaction with hydrogen peroxide. Rather,G-type agents are typically deactivated with liquid hydrogen peroxide bybase catalysis. Specifically, ammonia has been used to facilitate thebase catalyzed hydrolysis of agents with liquid hydrogen peroxide, orperhydrolysis. Molybdate ions have also been used in combination withliquid hydrogen peroxide. The permolybdate ions formed have been foundto deactivate G, V and H-agents.

The present application delivers a vapor phase deactivator which iseffective against G, V, and H-type agents, as well as against biologicalagents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method ofdeactivating a pathogenic chemical agent is provided. The methodincludes subjecting the pathogenic chemical agent to a peroxide and anitrogen containing compound of the general formula:

where R₁, R₂, and R₃ independently are selected from H and an alkylgroup.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatusfor deactivating a pathogenic chemical agent is provided. The apparatusincludes a means for subjecting the pathogenic chemical agent to amixture of a strong oxidant compound and an alkaline compound, both in agaseous form.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method fordecontamination of an item contaminated with GD. The method includescontacting the item in an enclosure with a vapor containing a peroxideand ammonia for sufficient time to reduce the concentration of GD toless than about 1% of its initial concentration, the time for theconcentration to reach 1% of its initial concentration being less than 6hrs.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofdeactivating a pathogenic chemical agent is provided. The methodincludes forming a peroxide vapor, increasing the pH of the vapor with apH-increasing compound, and, subjecting the pathogenic chemical agent tothe peroxide at the increased pH for sufficient time to deactivate thechemical agent.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofdeactivating a biologically active substance is provided. The methodincludes subjecting the biologically active substance to a mixture of astrong oxidant compound and an alkaline compound, both in a gaseousform.

In accordance with more limited aspects of the present invention, thesurfaces are optionally treated with a combination of an oxidizing vaporand a basic vapor, fog, or mist, preferably ammonia or a short chainalkyl amine.

One advantage of at least one embodiment of the present inventionresides in its effectiveness against a wide variety of chemical warfareagents including both V and G-type agents as well as biological warfareagents.

Another advantage of at least one embodiment of the present inventionresides in its effectiveness against both chemical and biologicalwarfare agents.

Another advantage of at least one embodiment of the present inventionresides in its ease of cleanup.

Yet another advantage of at least one embodiment of the presentinvention resides in compatibility with electrical equipment.

Still further advantages of the present invention will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take form in various components and arrangements ofcomponents, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawingsare only for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment and are notto be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a vapor treatment system inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an alternate embodiment of the treatment system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another alternate embodiment of the vapor treatment system;

FIG. 4 is a proposed reaction scheme for the conversion of agent HD toreaction products HDO and HDO₂ in the presence of hydrogen peroxide;

FIG. 5 is a proposed reaction scheme for the conversion of agent VX toVX-Pyro, EMPA and other reaction products in the presence of hydrogenperoxide;

FIG. 6 is a proposed reaction scheme for the conversion of agent GD toPPMA in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia or an amine;

FIG. 7 is a plot of percent HD and HDO vs. time in the presence ofhydrogen peroxide vapor and ammonia;

FIG. 8 is a plot of percent VX, VX-Pyro, and EMPA vs. time in thepresence of hydrogen peroxide vapor without ammonia;

FIG. 9 is a plot of percent VX, VX-Pyro, and EMPA vs. time in thepresence of hydrogen peroxide vapor with ammonia;

FIG. 10 is a plot of percent GD and PMPA vs. time in the presence ofhydrogen peroxide vapor with ammonia; and

FIG. 11 is a plot of percent GD and PMPA vs. time in the presence ofhydrogen peroxide vapor with ammonia under controlled water conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, a treatment enclosure 10 receives or is itselfa part of a structure potentially contaminated with biologically activesubstances, particularly biological or chemical warfare agents.Typically, biologically active substances include pathogens, biotoxins,prions, spores, chemical agents, and the like. Typical chemical agentsinclude H-type blistering agents such as mustard gas, and V-type andG-type nerve agents.

The treatment chamber or enclosure 10, in one embodiment, is a dedicatedchamber that is adapted to receive items to be generated and thensealed. Items to be decontaminated may include equipment, weapons,clothing, medical instruments, and the like. The chamber can be a fixedstructure, a tent that is mounted around the object to be treated, amobile chamber, or the like. In another embodiment, the enclosureincludes the interior of a warehouse, room, aircraft, ship, tank, orother vehicle whose interior surfaces or items contained therein are tobe treated.

A fan or blower 12 draws environmental gas, typically air, from theenclosure 10 through a biological or chemical hazard filter 14. Acatalytic destroyer 16 breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water vapor. Adryer 18 removes the water vapor from the recirculated gas to controlthe humidity of the carrier gas.

The filtered and dried air or other carrier gas is supplied to avaporizer 20 which vaporizes a liquid oxidant, preferably hydrogenperoxide solution, from a liquid hydrogen peroxide source 22. Inparticular, the vaporizer supplies heat to the liquid oxidant to convertit to vapor form. The heat applied is sufficient to vaporize thehydrogen peroxide and water without leading to premature decompositionof hydrogen peroxide.

While particular reference is made to peroxides, particularly hydrogenperoxide, other strong oxidants such as hypochlorites, ozone solutions,peracids, such as peracetic acid, and the like are also contemplated.Optionally, a cosolvent, such as alcohol, is mixed with the oxidantliquid. A valve 24 or other appropriate control means controls a rate atwhich the liquid hydrogen peroxide is vaporized.

The hydrogen peroxide vapor is fed to a mixing chamber or region 30where the hydrogen peroxide vapor and air mixture is mixed with a basicgas, fog, or mist (all of which will be referred to herein as gaseousstates, unless otherwise indicated), preferably ammonia gas. However,other nitrogen-containing compounds capable of enhancing the rate ofdegradation of at least one biologically active substance and/orreducing the concentration of at least one pathogenic product of thedegradation of a biologically active substance are also contemplated,such as short chain alkyl amines, e.g., C₁-C₈ alkyl amines. An exemplaryactive nitrogen-containing compound can thus be described by the generalformula:

where R₁, R₂, and R₃ independently are selected from H and an alkylgroup. The alkyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Suitablesubstituents are those which do not unduly influence the catalyticactivity of the nitrogen-containing compound. The nitrogen containingcompound preferably is one which is capable of persisting in thehydrogen peroxide vapor phase or in contact with the biologically activesubstance for sufficient time to act as an accelerator for the peroxidedegradation of the agent. Suitable alkyl amines include methyl amine,ethyl amine, propyl amine, butyl amine, dimethyl amine, methyl ethylamine, diethyl amine, combinations thereof, and the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, ammonia gas (or other nitrogen-containingcompound) is supplied from a source or reservoir 32, such as a highpressure tank holding compressed ammonia gas. A control or regulatorvalve 34 controls the amount of ammonia vapor supplied to the mixingregion 30. The mixture of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide vapor isimmediately and continuously supplied to the treatment chamber 10.Optionally, a biological or chemical contaminant filter 36 is mounted atan inlet to the chamber.

In one embodiment, the hydrogen peroxide and ammonia are mixed justprior to or as they enter the enclosure 10. In one specific embodiment,they are fed to the enclosure along separate fluid lines and mix withinthe enclosure.

A controller 40 is connected with one or more monitors 42 disposed inthe treatment chamber 10 for monitoring ambient conditions. Based on themonitored ambient conditions, the controller controls one or more of thecontrol valves 24, 34 to control one or more of the relativeconcentrations of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia vapor, the blower 12 tocontrol the amount of air flow, fans 44 in the chamber for distributingthe treatment gas around the chamber, and the like. Preferably, thecontroller 40 controls the valves 24, 34 such that a mixture of peroxidevapor and ammonia in the mixing region 30 occurs which achieves anammonia concentration with a range of 1 to 0.0001 times the nominalperoxide vapor concentration.

In one embodiment, the ammonia concentration in the treatment chamber 10is at least 1 ppm by weight. The ammonia concentration in the treatmentchamber 10 can be up to about 100 ppm, by weight. In one specificembodiment, the ammonia concentration in the treatment chamber 10 is inthe range of 3-20 ppm, by weight. In one embodiment, the hydrogenperoxide concentration is at least 50 ppm by weight (0.67 mg/L). Thehydrogen peroxide concentration in the treatment chamber 10 can be up toabout 3600 ppm, by weight (5 mg/L), or higher. In one specificembodiment, the hydrogen peroxide concentration in the treatment chamber10 is in the range of 200-1000 ppm, by weight. For example, the ammoniaconcentration may be about 8 ppm and the hydrogen peroxide, about 600ppm. To achieve such concentrations in a small enclosure of about0.1-0.2 m³, a flow rate of about 0.03-0.05 m³/minute hydrogen peroxidevapor and carrier gas is suitable. NH₃ gas can be introduced into theVHP stream at about 0.18 mL/min just prior to its entering theenclosure. For larger enclosures, higher flow rates may be appropriate.

In one embodiment, the hydrogen peroxide is replenished intermittentlyor continuously to maintain a selected concentration range in theenclosure 10. In another embodiment, the enclosure is sealed once theconcentration of hydrogen peroxide and/or ammonia has reached a selectedlevel, or at some time thereafter. The concentration is allowed to fallnaturally over time due to decomposition. For example, the hydrogenperoxide and ammonia may be fed to the enclosure for an initial periodof about four to six hours and then the enclosure sealed, allowingresidual amounts of chemical agents and their pathogenic reactionproducts to be destroyed over a subsequent period of about ten to twentyhours. The vaporizer can be disconnected after the initial period andused to decontaminate another enclosure.

The enclosure 10 can be maintained by a suitable heater 46 at or aboutroom temperature (about 15-30° C.), preferably, about 23-25° C.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a closed-loop system is illustrated inwhich the same carrier gas is recirculated and used over. Alternately,an open-loop system can be utilized, in which fresh atmospheric air issupplied to the vaporizer, preferably filtered and dried, and airexiting the chamber is filtered to prevent the biological or chemicalcontaminants from escaping and discharging to the atmosphere.

With reference to FIG. 2, an open-loop system is illustrated. The blower12 pulls air through a filter 14 and, optionally a dehumidifier, beforepushing it through the vaporizer 20. A peroxide vapor source 22 and asource 34 of an active nitrogen containing compound provide liquidperoxide and nitrogen containing compound to the vaporizer. Alternately,where the nitrogen containing compound is a liquid, separate vaporizersmay be provided for each. The peroxide and nitrogen containing compoundcan be injected separately into the carrier gas in a mixing region. Asyet another alternative, the nitrogen containing compound and theperoxide can be supplied to the vaporizer alternately, as liquids. Theoutput of the vaporizer is connected to an interior region with surfacesto be decontaminated.

With reference to FIG. 3, the carrier gas is filtered 14, peroxidedestroyed 16, and dried 18. The blower 12 blows the dry gas to thevaporizer 20 which vaporizes liquid peroxide from the source 22. Theperoxide vapor is supplied directly to the treatment region 10. Anatomizer 50 receives a liquid alkaline solution from a reservoir 52which it atomizes or mists into mist that is discharged into the chamber10. A portion of the carrier gas optionally flows through the mister toentrain and carry the mist throughout the chamber. Alternately, thealkaline solution can be vaporized. Suitable alkaline solutions includewater-based solutions of potassium and other carbonates, molybdates,ammonium salts, and the like.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen peroxide vapor and ammonia areintroduced sequentially. For example, ammonia is added first. After atime period sufficient for the ammonia to circulate through theenclosure 10, the hydrogen peroxide is allowed to flow into theenclosure.

In another embodiment, at least one of the hydrogen peroxide vapor andammonia is generated in situ, within the enclosure.

Hydrogen peroxide vapor alone is relatively effective against blisteringagents, HD, and nerve agents, such as VX, which exhibit selectiveoxidation and selective perhydrolysis. By the addition of ammonia to thevapor stream, the hydrolysis-based deactivation of GD is also effected.Improvements in the deactivation rates of blistering agents and nerveagents have also been found.

Without intending to limit the scope of the invention, it is believedthat, under exposure to hydrogen peroxide vapor, HD is selectivelyoxidized to a non-vesicant sulfoxide, HDO (FIG. 4), avoiding formationof the vesicant sulfone (HDO₂). This reaction with the vaporizedhydrogen peroxide occurs rapidly, more rapidly with vapor than withliquid hydrogen peroxide solutions. A mass transfer of hydrogen peroxidebetween the vapor and the liquid agent results in an accumulation ofhydrogen peroxide in the liquid phase which causes oxidation to occurrapidly. The excess of dissolved oxidant assures completion of theoxidation process.

In liquid neutral peroxide solutions, it is understood that VX undergoespartial autocatalytic perhydrolysis owing to the basicity of its aminegroup. The VX acts to self-activate peroxide via protonation of theamine group. However, this process may not lead to total destruction. Inthe presence of activators which buffer the peroxide to basic pHs, theperhydrolysis proceeds to complete destruction.

When exposed to hydrogen peroxide vapor, it is understood that VXundergoes similar perhydrolysis with the basicity of the amine group ofthe VX molecule effecting autocatalytic perhydrolysis (FIG. 5). Avariety of reaction intermediates can be formed, which vary in toxicity,including ethylmethylphosphonate (EMPA) and VX-pyro, a toxicintermediate. However, hydrogen peroxide is constantly replenished bymass transfer between the liquid agent and the vapor flowing over itmaintaining an adequate supply of the peroxyl anion for the reaction.The acidic products that are produced by the perhydrolysis are volatile,and are carried away with the flowing vapor. Unlike the stagnantliquids, this removal of the acidic products prevents them fromaccumulating and lowering the pH to the point that the reaction stops.

The added presence of ammonia has been found to increase the degradationrate of VX by hydrogen peroxide vapor as well as reducing theconcentration of toxic byproducts. The reaction is selective fornon-toxic EMPA. Little or no EA-2192 forms. VX-pyro tends to be detectedonly as a non-persistent intermediate. It is suggested that the nitrogencontaining compound provides a pH which is more basic than that ofhydrogen peroxide alone, thus favoring the reaction pathway to EMPA.

GD does not tend to undergo significant autocatalytic perhydrolysis witheither liquid or vaporized hydrogen peroxide alone. However, the GD issusceptible to deactivation by base catalyzed hydrolysis andperhydrolysis. In solution, perhydrolysis is about four times as fast asbase catalyzed hydrolysis. Both hydrolysis and perhydrolysis result inthe formation of the same non-toxic inactivation products. GD exposed tohydrogen peroxide and ammonia or short chain alkyl amines which raisethe pH undergoes rapid perhydrolysis and/or hydrolysis, as long as thepH remains elevated (FIG. 6). The reaction product is largely pinacolylmethylphosphonic acid (PMPA). Exposure to hydrogen peroxide vapor alonedoes not cause the perhydrolysis to occur. However, when the ammonia isadded to the hydrogen peroxide vapor, hydrolysis to form the non-toxicinactivation products occur. Since G-agents are hygroscopic, the ammoniatends to be readily absorbed in the moisture retained by the G-agentfrom the hydrogen peroxide vapor. The hydrolysis reaction results fromthe basicity of the ammonia and the presence of water that is absorbedin the hygroscopic GD liquid.

It will be appreciated that other chemical warfare agents which aresusceptible to oxidation and/or perhydrolysis are also destroyed in thehydrogen peroxide vapor/ammonia treatment, including, but not limitedto, cyanogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate(Agent BZ).

While particular reference is made to the destruction of chemicalwarfare agents, the method is also suited to the destruction ofbiological agents, such as bacterial spores, vegetative bacteria,viruses, molds, and fungi capable of killing or causing severe injury tomammals, particularly humans. Included among these are viruses, such asequine encephalomyelitis and smallpox; bacteria, such as those whichcause plague (Yersina pestis), anthrax (Bacillus anthracis), andtularemia (Francisella tularensis); and fungi, such ascoccidioidomycosis; as well as toxic products expressed by suchmicroorganisms; for example, the botulism toxin expressed by the commonClostridium botulinium bacterium.

It has been found that a broad spectrum of biological and chemicalagents can be deactivated (i.e., reduced to less than 1% of theiroriginal concentration by weight and preferably, reduced to undetectablelevels) using the vapor hydrogen peroxide and ammonia mixture in arelatively short period of time, preferably within ten hours, and, morepreferably, within about six hours. Some chemical agents, such as HD,can be deactivated in shorter time periods, e.g., from 2-6 hours. Theconcentration of pathogenic intermediates, e.g., VX-pyro, is preferablyreduced to less than about 5% of the original weight of the chemicalagent within about 24 hours.

Without intending to limit the scope of the invention, the followingexamples demonstrate the effectiveness of the combination of hydrogenperoxide and ammonia in deactivating chemical warfare agents.

EXAMPLES

Chemical agents VX, GD, and HD are deposited separately on glass filterpapers (5 μL of the agent). The sample is placed in a 0.15 m³ chamber 10which is connected with a STERIS M-100 VHP® vaporizer. The vaporizergenerates hydrogen peroxide from a solution comprising 35% hydrogenperoxide in water. Air from the chamber is used as a carrier gas. A flowrate of about 0.3 m³/minute is employed. Hydrogen peroxide is injectedinto the carrier gas at a rate of from 0.4-0.5 g/minute, resulting in ameasured hydrogen peroxide concentration within the chamber of about 600ppm. Ammonia gas is introduced into the hydrogen peroxide and carriergas stream just prior to its entering the chamber, at a concentration of0.18 mL/min, resulting in a calculated ammonia concentration of about 8ppm. The sample is exposed to the hydrogen peroxide vapor and ammonia inthe chamber for a selected period of time of from about 0.5 to about 4hours at a temperature of from about 23° C. to about 25° C.

The exposed samples and also unexposed samples are solvent-extracted andthe extract analyzed for residual agent and reaction products by NMR.

Similar experiments were carried out as described above, but withoutammonia.

FIG. 7 is a plot of the percentage, by weight, of the initial HDdetected, and the percentage of reaction product HDO (expressed as apercentage of the initial HD), vs time, in the presence of both hydrogenperoxide and ammonia. It can be seen that the HD is no longer detectableafter a period of two hours. A significant portion (about 45%) isconverted to HDO.

FIG. 8 shows the results for VX in the presence of hydrogen peroxidewithout ammonia, as well as those for reaction products VX-pyro andEMPA. Although the initial drop in VX is relatively fast, it takesapproximately 24 hours for the VX levels to drop completely. At thistime, the product is EMPA. VX-Pyro is detected as an intermediateproduct, which reaches a concentration peak at about six hours and thendeclines.

FIG. 9 shows the comparable results for VX in the presence of bothhydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Here, the rate of decomposition of VX ismuch faster than without ammonia, dropping to undetectable levels withinabout 6 hours. After 24 hours, the reaction products are all in the formof EMPA.

FIG. 10 shows the results for GD in the presence of hydrogen peroxideand ammonia. The concentration of GD drops to undetectable levels withinabout 4 hours. No PPMA is detected. This may be due to evaporation ofthe reaction product from the sample.

FIG. 11 shows comparable results for GD in the presence of ammonia andwater vapor as a control.

1. A method of deactivating a pathogenic chemical agent characterizedby: subjecting the pathogenic chemical agent to a peroxide and anitrogen containing compound of the general formula:

where R₁, R₂, and R₃ independently are selected from H and an alkylgroup.
 2. The method as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by:the peroxide including hydrogen peroxide.
 3. The method as set forth inclaim 1 or 2, further characterized by: the peroxide being in the formof a vapor.
 4. The method as set forth in claim 3, further characterizedby: vaporizing a liquid peroxide compound to form a peroxide vapor. 5.The method as set forth in any one of claims 1-4, further characterizedby: the nitrogen containing compound being in the form of a gas.
 6. Themethod as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by: the nitrogencontaining compound including ammonia.
 7. The method as set forth inclaim 1, further characterized by: the nitrogen containing compoundincluding an alkyl amine.
 8. The method as set forth in any one ofclaims 1-7, further characterized by: a ratio of the peroxide compoundto the nitrogen containing compound being between 1:1 and 1:0.0001. 9.The method as set forth in claim 8, further characterized by: theammonia gas and the hydrogen peroxide vapor being present in a ratio ofbetween 1:1 and 0.0001:1.0.
 10. The method as set forth in any one ofclaims 1-9, further characterized by: the nitrogen containing compoundand peroxide being in the form of a gaseous mixture.
 11. The method asset forth in claim 10, further characterized by: the nitrogen containingcompound being at a concentration of at least 1 ppm in the gaseousmixture.
 12. The method as set forth in claim 11, further characterizedby: the nitrogen containing compound concentration being less than about100 ppm.
 13. The method as set forth in claim 12, further characterizedby: the nitrogen containing compound concentration being at least about3 ppm in the gaseous mixture and less than about 20 ppm.
 14. The methodas set forth in claim 13, further characterized by: the nitrogencontaining compound including ammonia at a concentration of about 8 ppm.15. The method as set forth in any one of claims 10-14, furthercharacterized by: the peroxide being at a concentration of at least 50ppm in the gaseous mixture.
 16. The method as set forth in any one ofclaims 10-15, further characterized by: the peroxide being at aconcentration of less than 1000 ppm in the gaseous mixture.
 17. Themethod as set forth in claim 16, further characterized by: the peroxidebeing at a concentration of at least 400-800 ppm in the gaseous mixture.18. The method as set forth in claim 17, further characterized by: thenitrogen containing compound including ammonia at a concentration offrom about 3-20 ppm.
 19. The method as set forth in claim 18, furthercharacterized by: the temperature being about 23-25° C.
 20. The methodas set forth in claim 18 or 19, further characterized by: the peroxideincluding hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of about 600 ppm in thegaseous mixture.
 21. The method as set forth in claim 20, furthercharacterized by: the nitrogen containing compound including ammonia ata concentration of about 8 ppm in the gaseous mixture.
 22. The method asset forth in any one of claims 15-21, further characterized by: theperoxide concentration being at least about 200 ppm in the gaseousmixture.
 23. The method as set forth in any one of claims 10-22, furthercharacterized by: the gaseous mixture further including a carrier gas.24. The method as set forth in claim 23, further characterized by: thecarrier gas including air.
 25. The method as set forth in any one ofclaims 1-24, further characterized by: the chemical agent including atleast one of G-type, V-type, and H-type chemical agents, andcombinations thereof.
 26. The method as set forth in claim 25, furthercharacterized by: the chemical agent including a G-type chemical agentand the method including contacting the pathogenic chemical agent withthe nitrogen containing compound and peroxide for sufficient time toreduce the G-type agent to a level of less than 1% of its originalconcentration.
 27. The method as set forth in claim 25 or 26, furthercharacterized by: the contacting time being up to about six hours. 28.The method as set forth in any one of claims 1-27, further characterizedby: maintaining the temperature during the step of subjecting at fromabout 15° C. to about 30° C.
 29. The method as set forth in any one ofclaims 1-28, further characterized by: the nitrogen containing compoundbeing a liquid and the method further including vaporizing the liquid ina vaporizer.
 30. An apparatus for deactivating a pathogenic chemicalagent characterized by: means (20, 32) for subjecting the pathogenicchemical agent to a mixture of a strong oxidant compound and an alkalinecompound, both in a gaseous form.
 31. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 30, further characterized by: the subjecting means including: avaporizer for vaporizing a peroxide liquid, a supply (32) of anitrogen-containing compound, and a mixing region (30) for mixing thenitrogen containing compound and vapor.
 32. The apparatus as set forthin claim 31 further characterized by: means (24) for injecting hydrogenperoxide to the vaporizer at a rate of 0.4-0.5 grams/minute.
 33. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 31 or 32, further characterized by: themixing region being at the entrance of an enclosure (10) in which thepathogenic chemical agent is disposed.
 34. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 33, further characterized by: a liquid hydrogen peroxide sourcefor supplying liquid hydrogen peroxide to the vaporizer, and the supply(32) of nitrogen containing compound including a compressed ammonia gastank.
 35. The apparatus as set forth in claim 34, further characterizedby: a control means (24, 34) which controls a rate of supplying thehydrogen peroxide to the vaporizer and a rate of supplying the ammoniagas to achieve a peroxide vapor to ammonia vapor ratio between 1:1 and1:0.0001.
 36. The apparatus as set forth in claim 34 or 35, furthercharacterized by: a control means (24, 34) which controls a rate ofsupplying the hydrogen peroxide to the vaporizer and a rate of supplyingthe ammonia gas to form a mixture in which a concentration of ammonia isat least 1 ppm.
 37. The apparatus as set forth in any one of claims30-36, further characterized by: the nitrogen containing compoundincluding a liquid, and further characterized by: a mister (30) forforming a mist of the liquid nitrogen containing compound.
 38. Theapparatus as set forth in any one of claims 31-37, further characterizedby: a chamber (10) connected with the mixing region for receiving itemscontaminated with the pathogenic chemical agent.
 39. The apparatus asset forth in any one of claims 30-38, further characterized by: thesubjecting means including: a means (50) for atomizing or vaporizing analkaline liquid to form the nitrogen containing compound.
 40. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 39, further characterized by: a peroxidevaporizing means (20) which generates a vapor or mist containing theperoxide; and a chamber (10) connected with the atomizing or vaporizingmeans for receiving the vapor or mist.
 41. A method for decontaminationof an item contaminated with GD, the method characterized by: contactingthe item in an enclosure (10) with a vapor containing a peroxide andammonia for sufficient time to reduce the concentration of GD to lessthan about 1% of its initial concentration, the time for theconcentration to reach 1% of its initial concentration being less than 6hrs.
 42. A method of deactivating a pathogenic chemical agentcharacterized by: forming a peroxide vapor; increasing the pH of thevapor with a pH-increasing compound; subjecting the pathogenic chemicalagent to the peroxide at the increased pH for sufficient time todeactivate the chemical agent.
 43. The method as set forth in claim 42,further characterized by the peroxide including hydrogen peroxide andthe pH-increasing compound includes ammonia.
 44. The method as set forthin claim 43, further characterized by the hydrogen peroxide being at aconcentration of from about 200-800 ppm and the ammonia is at aconcentration of from 3-40 ppm.
 45. The method as set forth in claim 44,further characterized by the temperature being at room temperature. 46.A method of deactivating a biologically active substance characterizedby: subjecting the biologically active substance to a mixture of astrong oxidant compound and an alkaline compound, both in a gaseousform.
 47. The method as set forth in claim 46, further characterized by:the alkaline compound in gaseous form including a mist formed byatomizing a liquid alkaline compound.
 48. The method as set forth inclaim 46 or 47, further characterized by: the strong oxidant including aperoxy compound.
 49. The method as set forth in claim 48, furthercharacterized by: vaporizing a liquid peroxy compound to form a peroxyvapor.
 50. The method as set forth in any one of claims 46-49, furthercharacterized by: the alkaline compound including at least one ofammonia and a short chain alkyl amine.
 51. The method as set forth inany one of claims 46-50, further characterized by: the peroxy compoundincluding hydrogen peroxide.
 52. The method as set forth in any one ofclaims 46-51, further characterized by: the biologically activesubstance including one or more of chemical agents, pathogens, prions,and biotoxins.
 52. The method as set forth in claim 52, furthercharacterized by: the biologically active substance including G-typenerve agents.
 53. The method as set forth in claim 52, furthercharacterized by: the ammonia gas and the hydrogen peroxide vapor beingpresent in a ratio of between 1:1 and 0.0001:1.0.